Muhammad Zohaib Khan, Former Chairman of P@SHA (Pakistan IT Industry
Association), has called upon Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz
Sharif to announce a special package for the IT industry in the
upcoming budget. Given the Prime Minister’s clear vision for a digital
and knowledge economy through initiatives like Uraaan Pakistan, it is
crucial to introduce strong policy reforms and incentives to ensure
sustainable growth in the sector.
This year, Pakistan’s IT industry is projected to achieve
approximately $3.6 billion in exports, a testament to the focused
approach of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) on the
IT sector and the tireless efforts of the Ministry of IT & Telecom,
Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), and other key stakeholders.
However, to maintain and accelerate this momentum, Pakistan must take
extraordinary measures to position itself as a global tech leader.
“A well-structured IT package is essential to unlock the full
potential of Pakistan’s tech ecosystem. The government must introduce
policies that facilitate ease of business, relaxation in taxation,
targeted funding for skill development programs, an aggressive Brand
Pakistan campaign, and most importantly, mobilize Special Technology
Zones Authority (STZA) incentives exclusively for the IT sector,”
stated Muhammad Zohaib Khan.
He further emphasized that with the national budget around the
corner, this is a critical opportunity for the government to
demonstrate its commitment to the IT sector—an industry that can drive
economic growth, create high-value jobs, and significantly boost
exports.
“With the right policies and incentives, Pakistan’s IT sector has the
potential to surpass $5 billion in exports in the near future, but
this requires bold steps and immediate action,” he added.
Industry leaders and stakeholders strongly advocate for an enabling
environment with fiscal and policy incentives, ensuring that
Pakistan’s IT industry continues to thrive and compete on a global
scale.
